WELCOME! to my Design WikiSpace.
There are 6 recognisable forms/ elements of Design:
Functional
Sociometric
Atmospheric
Symbolic
Metaphoric
Affective
Week 1: Functional Stage Design Wherein, elements of the design are constructed in order to have a particular use (function) alongside any aesthetic properties they contain.
Whilst examining all of my previous knowledge and experiences of stage design (i.e. the sets I have seen created and used and how they have been functional in nature), I cast my mind back to Bob Crowley and his design for the Mary Poppins musical of 2007. A totally self contained set, easily manipulated to create changes in location that were bothvery efficient with time and movement and completely transformative of the space. Similar to the classic design for a dollhouse, the set opens up and folds back to uncover new sets within itself.
Also, the sets created for the tourism attractions known as The Dungeons; Edinburgh, London and so on, incorporate the audience within the theatrical, involve them in improve etc,and use the entire space as a multilayered stage featuring a dozen or so locational sets which require different forms of practical functioning design. For example the 3 instances where the whole audience participates, all function as forms of transportation for the audience to new levels of the dungeons and follow the main narratives. Sorry I can't seem to find any good pictures but 1- is the Descent, a rope and pulley 'bucket' lift that introduces the lift leper and begins the tour, taking one to the initial dungeon level.2- The boat Very good research...now let's see how this connects to The Emperor Jones...
The Emperor Jones! Thematic Structures and Ideas I wish to get across
Natural landscapes reflecting interior plot journeys.
Simple symbols- moods created by shadowing, mirrors and light refraction depict a systematic lowering of quality of life.
Being denied the rights,autonomy and individual identity of the beginning, the character of emperor jones reverts to the identity of the 'negro' and is terrorised, traumatised and killed by the the process which debases him to an animal.
lighting: opressor and oppressed - jones subject to the light. prescence of darkness within very bright palace abscence of light within forest
A figure, African symbol on his chest almost hidden by his clothes; he seems more like a white man than is possible.
The symbols will be directly related to the state of the character, his role as an oppressor, a transitioning character etc. Here is the link to the symbols i will eventually use. Each set change will add a new symbol until they are all projected onto screens onstage shortly before the climax.
Functional Designs:My take on Emperor Jones
I like the very simple use of height levelling to indicate stages of Jones' freedom etc within a raised stage/ set of stairs at the beginning in the palace. The platform will systematically be lowered and narrowed and used as props (haven't quite worked out the details haha). This will hopefully express well with lighting the powerlessness he experiences, being gazed at and sold off during the slavery auction scene.
Something layered and demountable like this would be good This is an interesting example of the coloured projection I was looking at earlier, bleeding colours depicting something natural etc on long thin screens, hopefully becoming complicated with the symbols crowding at the end.
White satin draped screen lining walls, bright lights and large staircase, props: large silver bell (as he leaves he pulls the sheets off, revealing black, little bit by little bit as darkness draws closer, as he begins to struggle with the haunts he could wrap them around himself... Just an idea...The colours and brightness echo the determined 'whiteness' of Jones at this time, hiding and therefore degrading his blackness and as he is stripped of them he is stripped of privilege and must suffer through several of the harshest periods in time for the african person.
The Backdrop! Our forest: 42.5x17.5cm MOOD BOARD?...I like what you have done so far....need to see more.
WELCOME! to my Design WikiSpace.
There are 6 recognisable forms/ elements of Design:
Week 1: Functional Stage Design
Wherein, elements of the design are constructed in order to have a particular use (function) alongside any aesthetic properties they contain.
Whilst examining all of my previous knowledge and experiences of stage design (i.e. the sets I have seen created and used and how they have been functional in nature), I cast my mind back to Bob Crowley and his design for the Mary Poppins musical of 2007. A totally self contained set, easily manipulated to create changes in location that were bothvery efficient with time and movement and completely transformative of the space. Similar to the classic design for a dollhouse, the set opens up and folds back to uncover new sets within itself.
Also, the sets created for the tourism attractions known as The Dungeons; Edinburgh, London and so on, incorporate the audience within the theatrical, involve them in improve etc,and use the entire space as a multilayered stage featuring a dozen or so locational sets which require different forms of practical functioning design. For example the 3 instances where the whole audience participates, all function as forms of transportation for the audience to new levels of the dungeons and follow the main narratives. Sorry I can't seem to find any good pictures but 1- is the Descent, a rope and pulley 'bucket' lift that introduces the lift leper and begins the tour, taking one to the initial dungeon level.2- The boat
Very good research...now let's see how this connects to The Emperor Jones...
The Emperor Jones!
Thematic Structures and Ideas I wish to get across
Natural landscapes reflecting interior plot journeys.
Simple symbols- moods created by shadowing, mirrors and light refraction depict a systematic lowering of quality of life.
Being denied the rights,autonomy and individual identity of the beginning, the character of emperor jones reverts to the identity of the 'negro' and is terrorised, traumatised and killed by the the process which debases him to an animal.
lighting: opressor and oppressed - jones subject to the light. prescence of darkness within very bright palace abscence of light within forest
A figure, African symbol on his chest almost hidden by his clothes; he seems more like a white man than is possible.
The symbols will be directly related to the state of the character, his role as an oppressor, a transitioning character etc. Here is the link to the symbols i will eventually use. Each set change will add a new symbol until they are all projected onto screens onstage shortly before the climax.
http://www.umes.edu/InternationalWorkshop2009/Default.aspx?id=22010
Functional Designs:My take on Emperor Jones
I like the very simple use of height levelling to indicate stages of Jones' freedom etc within a raised stage/ set of stairs at the beginning in the palace. The platform will systematically be lowered and narrowed and used as props (haven't quite worked out the details haha). This will hopefully express well with lighting the powerlessness he experiences, being gazed at and sold off during the slavery auction scene.
Something layered and demountable like this would be good
This is an interesting example of the coloured projection I was looking at earlier, bleeding colours depicting something natural etc on long thin screens, hopefully becoming complicated with the symbols crowding at the end.
White satin draped screen lining walls, bright lights and large staircase, props: large silver bell (as he leaves he pulls the sheets off, revealing black, little bit by little bit as darkness draws closer, as he begins to struggle with the haunts he could wrap them around himself... Just an idea...The colours and brightness echo the determined 'whiteness' of Jones at this time, hiding and therefore degrading his blackness and as he is stripped of them he is stripped of privilege and must suffer through several of the harshest periods in time for the african person.
The Backdrop! Our forest: 42.5x17.5cm
MOOD BOARD?...I like what you have done so far....need to see more.
Jones, in all his grandeur!! :D
The Window on white, depicting the palace -->